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Former House Speaker Tom Foley Dies at 84

Jacqueline S Harnevious, WMAZ 12:38 p.m. EDT October 18, 2013

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 25: Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Thomas Foley speaks to the press as he leaves the White House 25 May 1993 after meeting with U.S. President Bill Clinton and other Democratic leaders. Foley said he expects Clinton's deficit-reduction plan to pass in the U.S. (Photo credit should read J.DAVID AKE/AFP/Getty Images)(Photo: WMAZ)

WASHINGTON (AP) - Former House Speaker Tom Foley has died at the age of 84 in his home.Foley's wife, Heather, said the Washington state Democrat died at his home in the nation's capital.Foley became the first speaker since the Civil War to fail to win re-election in his home district.The courtly politician lost his seat in the "Republican Revolution" of 1994. The Democrat had never served a single day in the minority. He was defeated by Republican Spokane lawyer George Nethercutt.Foley served as U.S. ambassador to Japan for four years during the Clinton administration. But he spent the most time in the House, serving 30 years including more than five as speaker.

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